"Long story.” Madeleine explained quickly, ushering me to the couch, where I collapsed dazedly. I had stopped crying a few minutes ago, and all the anger had dissolved into agonizing pain. I stared up stupidly at the crowd surrounding me, and they stared back until Meller cleared his throat awkwardly and said, “Um, you know what? Maybe it’d be better if…if I go.” His voice cracked as he choked out the last few words.

I don’t know what came over me, but I jumped up, used both hands to pull his collar towards me, and leaned in for a lingering kiss that made my knees turn weak. I felt a tremor run down my spine, but I wasn’t sure if it was in a good or bad way. I was drinking in everything about him—his soft lips, his hand on my back, his warm breath, his sweet aroma. When I finally let go of his shirt, the kiss had seemed to last a century, but I knew that in reality, it was only a few seconds.

"Don’t go.” My voice came out weak and wobbly. “Please, don’t leave me.” I didn’t care that people were staring at me and hanging on to every word I spoke. My body shook with desperate fear. “Promise you’ll never leave me.” I stared up at him, tears filling my eyes and pain carving a large, gaping hole in my chest.

"I promise.” He whispered, leaning in for another kiss. This time, though, I didn’t hold back my tears—I let them cascade down my cheeks down to my lips. I tasted the salty mixture on my tongue and pulled back. “I promise.” He said again, his voice dropping. "I’ll never let you go.”

There was a slight shuffling sound to the right of me. I whipped around and crumbled down to the ground. Several onlookers helped me regain my footing, but I didn’t look at their faces. Hazel eyes met my green ones for a millisecond, only for the connection to be broken moments later. I blinked, and he was gone.

When everybody left and the common room was quiet once more, she began talking. "Oh, lily.” She gave me a tight hug and I returned it.

"Why did he do it?” my voice was wobbly and unsure. “Why?”

"Oh, Lily, not even Merlin knows why.” Her voice faltered a bit like she was telling a lie, but I made no comment.

"He promised he wouldn’t.” I whispered softly. “I guess that’s James Player Potter for me.”

"Oh, Lily.” She gave my hand a reassuring pat. “You, yourself, know how bad he probably feels right now.”

"He feels fine.” I stated flatly. “He’s probably with her right now.” She flinched slightly. I didn’t ask why.

"Do you still want to know who she is?” she asked, veering away from the topic.

"No.” I replied dryly. “It doesn’t matter now.”

"It mattered before, didn’t it?” she asked quietly, but I didn’t respond. She took a deep breath and let it out.

"Lily, I know that this seems unbelievable, but I really think James still likes you.”

Sudden anger washed over me. “Bullshit!” I yelled. “Just because he thinks he’s the king of the world, it doesn’t mean that he can push people down to get where he wants to go! He does NOT care for me anymore, and I don’t either. He can’t just use two people at one time, and watch the other get crushed! I hope he drops dead!” I ran out of the room, rage burning in my stomach. I knew that I wasn’t angry at Madeleine, but at James, but I still didn’t go back to apologize.

Once I was in the dorms, on my bed, I replayed the entire day’s occurrences in my head and felt the burning sensation of fury intensify to the feeling of deep hate.

Why should I just stand here like a stupid idiot? I growled in my head. Why am I not doing anything while he chops me down?

Thoughts ran through my head for another hour, but they were all linked to the same idea: Revenge.

James

I am a sodding idiot.

"Stop that!” Aida growled at me, pointing to my eyebrows.

"Shut up, Aida.” I growled right back. “You have no authority whatsoever to tell me how my face should be expressing.” I continued glaring at the wall.

"Oh, but yes I do.” She snarled. “Or do I need to remind you of your…?”

"Hell, shut up already.” I yelled. “I’ve got enough going on in my life other than your stupid price.”

"I’m the one helping you here.” She retorted furiously. “Sometimes, I don’t even know why I agreed to your idiotic plan.”